Listen To These Clips And Decide If 'Stairway To Heaven' Is A Ripoff Of An Obscure Song From The 60shttp://www.businessinsider.com/spirit-versus-led-zeppelin-stairway-suit-2014-5/comments
en-usWed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500Fri, 09 Dec 2016 12:12:00 -0500Rob Wilehttp://www.businessinsider.com/c/537c6c146bb3f7ed2557d115yan.georgetWed, 21 May 2014 05:04:20 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537c6c146bb3f7ed2557d115
You can also vote on Mediabattl: <a href="http://www.mediabattl.es/battles/132" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" >http://www.mediabattl.es/battles/132</a> to let others know which version your prefer.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537c0be36bb3f77b5a1b7c16suppertimeTue, 20 May 2014 22:13:55 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537c0be36bb3f77b5a1b7c16
Somewhat similar. No cigar!http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537bd9e169bedd29291b7c16NotSheepTue, 20 May 2014 18:40:33 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537bd9e169bedd29291b7c16
The song was actually composed by a 14th or 15th century bard, I am sorry I can't remember his name. Robert Plant studied his manuscripts as well as the Paul McCartney (Beatles). I saw someone that had used a traditional lute and played this bards songs, the one song WAS without a doubt stairway to heaven. I am sorry I can't remember his name, but i am sure someone who is a better reporter than me could dig it up. If I remember correctly quite a few of the top world musicians have in one way or another been influenced by this ancient bard, will look for his name later tonight when I have some time.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537bbf77eab8ea2b02965fdfBeltway GregTue, 20 May 2014 16:47:51 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537bbf77eab8ea2b02965fdf
Also, sounds like "Time In A Bottle" by JIm Croce.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537b7ebb6bb3f785526473d1FredisnothereTue, 20 May 2014 12:11:39 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537b7ebb6bb3f785526473d1
The only thing that Spirit has going for itself in this case is the fact that Led Zeppelin opened for Spirit on their first North American tour (and that was the last time Zeppelin opened for anyone ever again). And as Spirit played Taurus during that tour Spirit could argue that Page heard that song and took those four cords and incorporated them into Stairway. Four cords are all that sound the same from Taurus and Stairway. Everything else is different. Four cords.
Page and Plant were heavily, heavily influenced by big Blues music from the era they grew up in. To this day, Plant still speaks of his infatuation with Howlin Wolf, Robert Johnson, Bukka White, Skip James, Willie Dixon, etc etc. All delta blues legends. Page, was a master session player and played with the best of the 60's, including the Who, Kinks, Yardbirds, etc etc. And the fact that they did settle out of court with many of these estates, says they borrowed from their idols.
Led Zeppelin are so much more than just Stairway. Plant has said over and over again that Kashmir is the song that defines Led Zeppelin best, while Page has said Achilles Last Stand was probably his best masterpiece. Added to their music was that fact that Led Zeppelin concerts were three hours of electric magic. Three hours!
The fact that Led Zeppelin's music today sounds as fresh, innovative and diverse and you'd never know it was released 40 years ago, is a testament that Led Zeppelin will always be one of the greatest rock n roll bands of all time.
Led Zeppelin music is timeless.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537b78e969beddff1d384fb6Spread the LoveTue, 20 May 2014 11:46:49 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537b78e969beddff1d384fb6
Did you just listen to a Howard Stern re-run? This storyline has been covered by Stern, and countless other radio shows.
Hardly an original story. BI should be embarrassed to run a story that has been pinched from elsewhere.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537b7887eab8ea7f7d3b8100Beltway GregTue, 20 May 2014 11:45:11 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537b7887eab8ea7f7d3b8100
When Zeppelin used passages of the lyrics or music of others, mainly blues, they were entering into an arena in which paying homage to those that came before you was considered a right of passage and Page,Plant, Jones, and Bonham made no effort to distance themselves from that tradition. They were English boys in love with an art form practiced by blind boys and gamblers and men who did that voodoo that you do. Even to this day drive down to Clarksdale and don't be surprised if you run into Robert Plant. Art is art and inside of various genres you do what you do by building on a sound or a shuffle, a notion or an idea and you return again and again to mine that vein until you feel it's tapped out.
"Taurus" is an interesting song but given the musical acumen of both Jones and Plant, hell they played on so many sessions in London in the 60s that Page may have played this piece, it's doubtful that they would take this piece. In addition, Jethro Tull made the same claim about one of their songs in the past. If they really wanted to sue someone they could also go after the Eagles. It sounds a little like Hotel California which sounds a little like Stairway which sounds a little like...well, you get my point.
The most interesting riff ever (perhaps) stolen? The riff for "Satisfaction." Am I the only person in the world who believes "Satisfaction" sounds a bit like Beethoven's 5th?http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537b76c769beddd512384faaLOLTue, 20 May 2014 11:37:43 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537b76c769beddd512384faa
A little late to the party on this one. To say "ripoff" is pure clickbait - one section sounds vaguely familiar.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537b768069bedd8215384fb3fgTue, 20 May 2014 11:36:32 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537b768069bedd8215384fb3
Nope.http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537b76556bb3f7bb346473d5grenadetradeTue, 20 May 2014 11:35:49 -0400http://www.businessinsider.com/c/537b76556bb3f7bb346473d5
Ugh, whatever - sounds like most other songs in that era, although arguably there are some similarities. You have to ask, why come forward with it now with a lawsuit? Most likely, some lawyer thought they had a case and wanted to make some money in the process, coupled with the members/estates of this band looking for some financial means to get themselves out of whatever ruin that they're currently in. If Led Zepplin wasn't a famous band, this wouldn't even happen. Hence, i highly doubt that they're doing it to preserve their music.
Just affirms my sentiment that ALL lawyers are scum. Remember when lawyers practiced law, and not spend most of their time gaming it? There's no honor left in this field of work.